Our Obituaries

Elmer G. Masurack, Jr, age 75 of Matamoras, Pennsylvania passed away Monday May 7, 2012 at his home, with his family at his side. He was born on July 7, 1936 in Port Jervis, NY, the son of the late Elmer J. and Mildred Furman Masurack. Elmer proudly served our country with the United States Army, during the Viet Nam War. He was a member of the Marsch-Kellogg V.F. W. Post # 139, Milford, Pa., the Matamoras, Rod & Gun Club, and the N.R.A . and retired from the maintenance dept. at Bon Secours Community Hospital, Port Jervis. Elmer was formerly married to the late Joan Norrell and then to Virginia McGeagh of Brooklyn, NY, who survives. He is survived by his son Jeffrey "Mazzy " Masurack of Port Jervis, his 3 daughters, Laura May and her husband David of Shohola, PA ., Heidi Falkowski and her husband Tom of Port Jervis, and Diana Mann and her husband Michael of Milford, P A .; 2 sisters, Joyce Zitone and her husband Ed of Montague, NJ and Dolores Kolvenbach and he husband John of Matamoras, PA .; 7 grandchildren, Nicholas and his wife Joanne, Aaron, Karley, Lara, Stephanie, Serita and Alexandra, 2 great grandchildren, Rylee and Reagan and several nieces and nephews. He is also survived by his long time companion, Janis Moureaux of Shohola, PA and his beloved pet cat, "Cutie Pie." A family statement read, Our beloved Father was a simple man. A true to form "country boy" who enjoyed the simple pleasures of playing his guitar and singing a tune, hunting and fishing, an iced cold bottle of Coca-Cola on a hot summers day, laboring in his garden harvesting fruits and vegetables for his family and friends, sitting on his front porch telling stories of times gone by, listening to his "old" country tunes and jamming on Saturday nights with his guitar buddies. Many mornings he could be found pulling up a stool at "Chrissie's" enjoying a hot cup of coffee while shooting the bull and catching up on the news with his town cronies. A gifted artisan, he treasured quiet moments when he could pick up his guitar - composing incredible music and lyrics of which we all treasured throughout the years. In addition to his musical and farming talents, he took great ownership in all that he did - and did it "meticulously" - whether it was at work or building and fixing things around his home. His craftsmanship even extended in his later years in hand-carving and designing his own fishing lures, and refurbishing old furniture. Playing horseshoes and tractor pulling were some of his favorite fun past times as well as treasure-hunting at area flea markets and auctions , and running his cider mill. Dad took great pleasure in documenting his family. Never a family gathering went by when he wasn't capturing the moment behind the lens of his camera. He had an incredible memory and was an amazing conversationalist - greatly knowledgeable about many things. Serving for his country, he was deeply patriotic and always concerned about our country and its future state. We will deeply miss our "Foggy Mountain Man" and his profound presence in our lives. Memorial services will be held Saturday , May 12, at 2 PM at the United Methodist Church of Matamoras, 209 Ave H, Matamoras, PA . 18336. Rev. Lora Villinger will officiate. Private interment will take place at Pine Grove Cemetery, Matamoras, PA . Memorial contributions may be made to the DAV (Disabled Veterans), P.O. Box 1430, Cincinnati, OH 45250-0301 (www.dav.org). Arrangements are by the Knight-Auchmoody Funeral Home, Inc., 154 E. Mian St., Port Jervis, NY. For information, directions or to send a condolence note to the family, visit knight-auchmoody.com